Residential care center “Sint-Henricus” - Roeselare

“In just three months, Symobo built six care rooms that perfectly meet all standards”

To bring services to a higher level for its residents, the Sint-Henricus residential care center in Roeselare is building a new wing. To do so, the residents of six care rooms had to temporarily move into a new building. Symobo took up the challenge and built spaces with all the necessary facilities at lightning speed.

Not a simple task

After a competition with various contractors, Symobo was trusted to leave his mark on this project. “Symobo had the most affordable proposal that also fully met all our requirements,” says Paul Callebert, director of the residential care center. “We didn't hesitate to work with them for long.”

“Symobo's quote perfectly met our requirements”
- Paul Callebert, director of WZC Sint-Henricus

Symobo had to build according to an economical, compact plan. Thinking along with the customer, especially when it comes to budgetary matters, was an absolute must for this project. “On the one hand, you have to build high-quality modules in a very short time,” agrees Mik Vertommen from Symobo. “Nevertheless, you have to take 100 things into account, because each room needs approval from the Flemish Agency for Care and Health. Those rules are not bad, and that is understandable. Older people have the right to ideal living conditions that are adapted to their specific needs.”

Containers or lofts

“We're building a new wing here,” Paul Callebert continues. “To do this, part of an existing wing will be demolished and six rooms will disappear. So we needed a temporary solution for these six homes.”

The choice for container construction was quickly made. “The building had to be built quickly and was intended to be used only temporarily,” he continues. “However, the name “container construction” does not do justice to the end result. They are advanced facilities. That's why we prefer to talk about 'modules' or even 'lofts'.”

A project full of challenges

“It was certainly not an easy project,” continues Mik Vertommen. “We had to place this building against an existing building. In doing so, we had to take into account the floor height: it had to be the same as in the existing building, so that there was as little 'step' as possible for elderly people with wheelchairs or walkers, for example.”

It was also not obvious that the car park where the building was supposed to be located was higher. “We had to place the building partly in the ground, because it had to be much lower than the car park where it was built. We fully developed that solution during the preparatory works.”

“By placing the building partly in the ground,
we're making it easier for elderly people with wheelchairs or walkers to get around”

In terms of connections, everything had to be perfectly tailored to the system in the main building. “From the fire alarm system to the electricity and the emergency call system: we seamlessly coordinated all techniques so that residents could enjoy exactly the same facilities and services as in the main building.”

A sustainable solution

“We may use these modules for a period of three or four years,” Paul Callebert continues. “After that, according to Symobo, they can be given a completely new destination.” Mik Vertommen confirms: “The system is fully demountable, portable and reusable for a new customer and is therefore fully in line with the vision of modern circular construction.”

“These units can be reused perfectly for future projects:
container construction is really sustainable” - Mik Vertommen, Symobo

Outcome

In the residential care center, the reactions to the new building are laudatory. “We are satisfied with the end result and, in addition, all agreements were complied with. What more do you want?” director Paul Callebert concludes. “We realize that this project was no easy task, given the Flemish Government's standards for housing for the care of elderly people.”

“Symobo even went a little further than the requested standards,” he concludes. “In this case, this was also the care of elderly people with dementia, which requires additional building security requirements. But those things have all worked out too. As far as I'm concerned, excellent work has been done across the board.”

Inspired by the story of WZC Sint-Henricus, and plans to expand your residential care center or building?

Learn all about our smart building systems via kiesjebouwsysteem.be or come and talk to Symobo!

“Symobo's offer perfectly met our requirements” - Paul Callebert, director of WZC Sint-Henricus”